Usefulness of Animal Type Robot Assisted Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Ward

摘要

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of PARO assisted therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the child and adolescent psychiatric ward. Methods: In the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Ward of Shikoku Medical Center for Children and Adults, we put PARO near the door of the nurse station and told the inpatients to play with it freely in the hall of the ward after getting permission from the staff. The interaction between patients and PARO was observed. Results: It was thought to be useful for same patients with ASD in developing good communication or in reduction of impulsive behaviors or anxiety. However, others hated it for some features such as its big eyes or a slight drive noise. Conclusions: Before animal type robot-assisted therapy is introduced as a tool for the patients with ASD, the kind of patients who are benefitted by this approach and how the approach would work in the treatment must be clarified.